In keeping with its motto ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, the BJP government has decided to decentralise the transfer of employees in all departments.

In keeping with its motto ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, the BJP government has decided to decentralise the transfer of employees in all departments.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his ministerial colleagues will now relinquish the right to shift employees in routine matters, and delegate such powers to bureaucrats at various levels.

A government resolution to this effect was issued on Wednesday. Fadnavis had started the process last week in the departments of water resources and food and drugs.

On Thursday, he asked all administrative departments in the Mantralaya to prepare and publish a list of the heads and regional heads of departments within their jurisdiction, and also notify the authorities competent to make transfers within their respective jurisdictions.

The orders were issued in accordance with the State Regulation of Transfer Act 2005, which was not followed by the erstwhile government which had passed the act.

The decentralisation policy will apply to employees of the state government and the officers under the All India Civil Services, with the exception of judicial officers.

The policy does not apply to employees in the police force, including IPS officers of the Maharashtra cadre. The police force has a separate establishment board.

The move is expected to prevent administrative delays, curb favouritism and corrupt practices. With the new policy in place, the employees seeking transfers or due for transfer will not need to seek political favour, said a senior government official.

“Currently, the employees travel to Mumbai in transfers of their choice, with recommendation letters from MLAs, MLCs and ministers. Now, the process will be transparent and open to all,” he said, requesting anonymity.

However, the CM and ministers may still have a say in transfers that are disputed, another officer pointed out. “Some decisions may come to the CM and ministers concerned. Currently, the CM has the power to transfer grade A officers, including central service officers of the state cadre,” said the officer.